Hamburg's TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD was a band that featured great HOLY MOSES vocalist/ growler SABINA CLASSEN. After doing 7 albums with HOLY MOSES it was time for SABINA to try something new.
The group was originally created back in 1993 when SABINA and guitarist Schrödey (ex-Warpath) began writing material together for a demo. In January 1993 they were joined by bassist Ozzy (ex-Warpath) and later by guitarist Phil (ex-Despised) and drummer Mike (ex-Despised). The first line-up was complete. With this line-up they enter Stage One Studios to record their first demo. Phil (guitars) enters the band and now Temple of the Absurd has two guitarists.
With only the first demo tape entitled TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD played the 1993 Dynamo Festival in Holland alongside MERCYFUL FATE, ANTHRAX, BIOHAZARD and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. The band plays in front of 50.000 metal fans in this festival
In July 1993 Temple of the Absurd are invited to play in the "Alcatrazz Headbanging Open Air " in Germany. Other bands in the festival are Biohazard and Switzerlands Parole. The press starts to label Temple of the Absurd as the "next star in the Metal Sky".
It was during the recording of TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD's debut album that Sabina decided to leave HOLY MOSES. The group's debut would be a self-financed effort but strong sales and prominent media exposure saw the major Warner Bros. label taking the record on for a re-release.The band also did appearances in the Wacken Open Air Festival, the biggest metal festival on Earth.
On September 1993 Temple of the Absurd records a video for the song "Absurd " with TV director Dieter Klar. They also show eight of the tunes from "Absurd" in the " Foundation Forum " in Los Angeles, California.
Temple of the Absurd does an appearance in a " game show " in Germany..s TV on November 1993. Sabina, Schrödey, Ozzy and Birgitt Hondros spend two weeks in New York and they befriend Dan Lilker ( S.O.D. , Anthrax, Nuclear Assault and Brutal Truth) who later becomes HOLY MOSES bass player.
Between January and February 1994 Temple of the Absurd does many shows with bands like Pro Pain, Spudmonsters and Life of Agony.
In late 1994 and early 1995 the band plays many concerts in clubs and they make a gig in Wacken Open Air with Tiamat y Morgoth, Schweisser and D.A.D . the press and the audience are fascinated and the band decides to re-release the tunes from the demo in an album format.
In late 1995 Temple of the Absurd records the video for "Darker than Hate " that is resented on television ( MTV..s Headbangers Ball, ViVa..s Metalla, etc.). The first record, "Absurd" is licensed by Warner and they sell many copies. Sabina records the lyrics for "Darker than Hate" in japanese language.
In August 1996 the band plays again in the Wacken Open Air Festival along with The Exploited, The Gathering, Crematory and Kreator.
In the first half of 1997 Mike quits Temple of the Absurd because of health problems. Some months later also Phil resigns. In August 1997 a new drummer enters the band
On November 1997 Temple of teh Absurd takes aprt on the " Mindview Festival " in Belgium and adds the japanses version of "Darker than Hate on the Mindview Sampler CD. On December 1997 Ozzy quits the band because of health problems. Maurer, Schrödey..s friend, takes bass duties.
In 1998 Temple of the Absurd takes part in many se Open Air Festivals like Beneckenstein Open Air withCrematory y Subway To Sally; "Der Baer Groovt Open Air Fest and again in Wacken Open Air.
The 1999 album 'Mother, Creator, God', issued by the High Gain label, included a brutal cover version of JETHRO TULL's 'Locomotive Breath' along a more experimental approach. The record ranked as one of the very first Rock releases to be fully enhanced with a bonus DVD disc. Live work to promote the album included appearances at the 'With Full Force' and 'Bang Your Head' festivals.
TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD undertook a tour of Europe billed alongside PRO-PAIN, DIE ALLERGIE and RUN DEVIL RUN. Unfortunately, just prior to a scheduled show at the 'Wacken Open Air' festival Sabina Classen was hospitalised with a serious illness. In 2000 the singer suffered severe injuries in a motorbike crash then, after her recovery, became ill once again. That same year TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD disbanded to let HOLY MOSES resurrect with their brutal comeback EP called "Master of Disaster".
Since then, HOLY MOSES has released 2 more albums : "Disorder of the Order" (2002) and "Strength, Power, Will, Passion" (2005) (where Schrödey has mix credits, along with HOLY MOSES guitarist Michael Hankel).
Now, on 2007, HOLY MOSES is recording their new album, with a release date in early 2008.
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFO ON HOLY MOSES IN THE BAND..S OFFICIAL MYSAPCE SITE:
www.myspace.com/holymosesgermany http://www.myspace.com/holymosesgermany
AND ALSO IN SABINA CLASSEN..S OFFICIAL MYSPACE SITE:
www.myspace.com/sabinaclassen http://www.myspace.com/sabinaclassen
TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD VIDEOS:TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD - DARKER THAN HATE
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TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD - ABSURD
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CATCH SABINA AND HOLY MOSES LIVE IN OSLO THIS MAY: